It is hard to make out if Small Brown Bike was a hard rock or an emo band at heart, but ultimately, it is that exact conflict that set the band apart from their competitors. The quartet originally formed in Marshall, Michigan, USA in 1996, when brothers Ben Reed (guitar/vocals) and Mike Reed (bass/vocals) began jamming with friends, Travis Dopp (guitar/vocals) and Dan Jaquint (drums). Two self-released singles followed, before indie label No Idea offered to release an album by the band, issuing Our Own Wars in June 1999 (the same year a compilation of all the bands early singles, as well as assorted outtakes, was released under the title Collection). Shortly afterwards, newcomer Scott Flaster took over from Dopp on the guitar.

A solid year of touring followed for Small Brown Bike, both as a headliner and as support for Hot Water Music and Saves The Day. In March 2001, Small Brown Bikes follow-up, Dead Reckoning, was released. An album overseen by renowned emo producer Ed Rose. At the beginning of 2002, Dopp decided it was time to return to the guitar, while Jaquint left the band and was replaced by Jeff Gensterblum. Small Brown Bike then collaborated with their friends in the Casket Lottery, resulting in the release of the Small Brown Bike And The Casket Lottery EP later the same year. Lookout Records had taken a liking to Small Brown Bike by this time, resulting in a new recording contract and the release of their acclaimed third album, The River Bed, in September 2003. Surprisingly, the band announced they were to break-up shortly afterwards.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.